Abstract

CARRIZO, Luz. V  and  DIAZ, M. Mónica. Descripción morfológica del esqueñeto axial de filotinos (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae): Aspectos morfofuncionales y filogenéticos. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2013, vol.20, n.1, pp.7-29. ISSN 0327-9383.

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies in phyllotine rodents in particular, and in sigmodontines in general, have been mainly focused on external, cranial and dental characteristics, being the postcranial anatomy less important. Based on the examination of 140 specimens belonging to 24 species and 10 genera, we described and compared the elements of the axial skeleton of the members of the Phyllotini Tribe. The aims of this study are to contribute to the knowledge of the postcranial anatomy of phyllotines, to determine the morphotypes of the vertebral structures, and to identify morphological paterns with a probable functional and phylogenetic significance. The axial skeleton consists of seven cervical, 12 or 13 thoracic, six or seven lumbar, four sacral, and 25 to 35 caudal vertebrae. Each region presents different morphological paterns, which could be linked to aspects as posture, locomotion type, habitat use, body size, or even evolutionary history of the group. The analysis demonstrates that postcranium would constitute a valuable source of evidence in taxonomic, morphofunctional and phylogenetic studies, since, as in other mammals, it shows morphological paterns that reveal some aspects of the locomotor capabilities and it allows to find relationships between genera and species according to previous hypotheses based on different evidence.

Keywords : Anatomy; Functional morphology; Phyllotini; Phylogeny; Vertebrae.

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